Yes, but only if that person or their business holds a valid RBQ licence with the roofing subclass. In Quebec, anyone doing roofing work for you as a contractor must be licensed, and construction workers fall under CCQ rules. Hiring an unlicensed worker for cash may look cheaper, but you lose the warranty, legal recourse and often your insurance protection.
It is a fair question. You hear that roofing companies subcontract half their jobs anyway, so why not skip the middleman and hire the crew directly? Maybe a cousin’s friend does roofs on weekends and offers to redo your bungalow in Saint-Léonard for a lot less than the quotes you received.
In Quebec, the answer depends almost entirely on one thing: whether the person you hire holds the right licence. Let’s walk through how it works and where the real risks sit.
Can you hire a roofing subcontractor directly in Quebec?
You can hire a roofing subcontractor directly, as long as that person or their business holds a valid licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) with the subclass that covers roofing. At that point, they are not really a subcontractor anymore: they are your contractor, with all the responsibilities that come with it.
What you cannot safely do is hire a worker who has no licence and treat them as a contractor. In Quebec, anyone who carries out construction work for you, or organizes it, must hold the appropriate RBQ licence. Being skilled with a nail gun is not the same thing.
Subcontractor vs contractor: what is the difference?
When a roofing company subcontracts, the company signs your contract, holds the licence for your job, and stays responsible for the result. The subcontractor answers to them. If you hire the subcontractor directly, they must take on that role themselves, including the licence, the insurance and the warranty.
How CCQ rules come into play
Roofing is a CCQ-regulated trade in construction. The Commission de la construction du Québec oversees things like worker qualifications and working conditions on construction sites. Workers are also covered by CNESST for workplace injuries.
For you, the practical takeaway is simple: a legitimate roofing business works within this framework. Someone working off the books usually does not, which means nobody is checking qualifications, and nobody is reporting the hours that keep injury coverage in place.
The real risks of cash or under-the-table work
The appeal is obvious. No taxes on the invoice, a lower total, a handshake deal. On asphalt shingles, where many homeowners pay roughly $8,000 to $20,000 before taxes depending on size, slope, access and condition, skipping the 14.975% in GST and QST looks like real money. Here is what you give up in exchange.
- No warranty you can enforce. Without a contract and an invoice, a workmanship warranty is a promise you cannot prove.
- No recourse. If the roof leaks in the spring, you may have no way to bring the worker back or claim against them. The RBQ security bond that may compensate clients in some cases only applies to licence holders.
- Insurance problems. If a worker falls, or damages your property or a neighbour’s, you may end up exposed. Your home insurer may also question a claim tied to work done without a licensed contractor or proper documentation.
- No paper trail when you sell. Buyers and their inspectors ask when the roof was done and by whom. A receipt from a licensed contractor carries weight. A story about a cash job does not.
- No Civil Code protection in practice. The Civil Code of Québec makes a contractor liable for 5 years for loss of the work due to construction defects. That protection is far easier to use when you can identify a licensed business and show a contract.
When hiring a smaller roofer directly makes sense
None of this means you have to go with a big company. Plenty of excellent roofers are small, owner-operated businesses with a licence, a small crew and a strong local reputation. Hiring one of them directly is often a great choice.
Say you have a flat roof on a triplex in Verdun and a small two-person outfit gave you a clear quote. If they have an active RBQ licence with the right subclass, proof of liability insurance, and a written contract, you are dealing with a proper contractor, regardless of size.
| Check | Licensed small roofer | Unlicensed worker |
|---|---|---|
| RBQ licence and security bond | Yes | No |
| Written contract and invoice | Yes | Usually not |
| Workmanship warranty you can enforce | Yes | Unlikely |
| Liability insurance | Should be provided | Often none |
| Taxes on invoice | Yes | Often skipped |
How to check who you are really hiring
Before you agree to anything, take these steps:
- Get the RBQ licence number and look it up in the RBQ online licence search.
- Make sure the name on the licence matches the name on the quote and the contract.
- Check the business’s record with the Office de la protection du consommateur.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance in writing.
- Get a detailed written quote and contract, with taxes shown separately.
Comparing quotes from several licensed contractors is the best protection here too. You quickly see what a fair price looks like, which makes an unusually cheap cash offer easier to judge for what it is.
What about helping out yourself?
Some homeowners want to do part of the work to save money, like tear-off or cleanup. Talk to your contractor first: it affects their schedule, their warranty and safety on site. And never climb on a wet, icy, snowy or steep roof yourself. Falls from roofs are serious, and no saving is worth that.
Bottom line
You can hire a roofing subcontractor directly instead of a company, as long as they hold the right RBQ licence and give you a proper contract, invoice and proof of insurance. What you should avoid is unlicensed, cash-only work: the savings look good on day one and can cost you dearly later. Insurance terms and permit rules vary by insurer and municipality, so confirm the details for your own home and always get written, detailed quotes.
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Request my quotes →Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to hire an unlicensed roofer in Quebec?
Construction work done for you as a contractor must be carried out by someone holding the appropriate RBQ licence. Hiring someone without one exposes you to real risks, including no recourse and possible insurance issues, so it is best avoided.
Can a roofer give me a discount for paying cash?
Paying cash is fine, but skipping the invoice or the taxes is not. Without a proper invoice, you lose your proof of the work for warranty, insurance and resale.
Does the RBQ bond protect me if the roofer disappears?
RBQ licence holders must provide a security bond that may compensate clients in some cases. It does not apply at all if the person you hired was never licensed.
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Estimations.pro is a referral service and does not perform the work. Prices are indicative only and vary with the size, slope, access and condition of your roof. Requirements (RBQ licence, municipal permits, programs) can change: check with the relevant organizations and get detailed written quotes.